As well as criticising the preparation before the first and third Test matches by Warren Gatland and his staff, O’Brien was especially critical of attack coach Rob Howley.

The 30-year-old said the midfield pairing of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell were “running our attack shape” by the end of the tour.

“The coaches have a lot to answer for in terms of our attack rather than Johnny and Faz trying to drive it,” said O’Brien.

“If I was being critical of any coach it would be the fact that I think Rob struggled with the group in terms of his attributes of trying to get stuff across whereas Johnny and Owen drove everything the second week, for instance, in our attack and had a better plan in place.

“So I don’t know if it was people not buying into what he was about or whatever else.

“That’s the hard thing about a Lions tour as well; getting everyone to listen to a coach that was probably set in his ways.”

As well as assisting Gatland on the Lions tour, Howley works under the New Zealander in the Wales set-up.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend and Glasgow assistant Jason O’Halloran both turned down invitations to be part of Gatland’s Lions staff, and O’Brien – who also toured in 2013 – says the best coaches must be recruited in four years’ time.

“Coaching-wise they need to make sure they have the best coaches in the best positions – attack, defence, forwards, whatever it may be on a Lions tour,” he said.

Speaking immediately after the drawn third Test in July, Gatland said: “Given the schedule, given how tough the tour was, to come to New Zealand and get a draw you’ve got to be proud of that.”